At the outset, this project began with the transformation of a 2-car attached garage. The goal was to create a mudroom, an exercise room, and a breezeway to seamlessly connect the spacious detached garage with the main part of the house. Additionally, the project involved partial roof removal and the addition of a new front entry. But then came an unexpected twist – scope creep. We found ourselves veering away from the initial client-supplied architectural plans. After numerous consultations with the clients and several iterations of the design, we arrived at a significantly improved plan for the remodel and addition. Our journey commenced with the demolition of almost the entire former 2-car garage, making space for a new, oversized 3-car garage measuring 40′ x 28′. This garage was strategically placed between the existing house and the large detached garage. We introduced a custom low-sloped flat roof, designed to address historical drainage issues. To mitigate water pooling, we created a custom concrete step at the back corner of the garage, equipped with a sturdy metal grate that sits flush with the step. We also installed a PVC drainage system, commencing at the step and running beneath a newly designed patio, ultimately draining into the yard. These measures have significantly reduced water accumulation around the house. The new garage boasts several features, including Longboard aluminum siding, custom full glass garage doors, interior drywall finished to a level 4, an abundance of can lights, an epoxy floor coating, vinyl base trim, a new forced air garage heater, and more. The clients also requested a designated space for their three kids and their friends to enjoy, thus giving birth to the “Kid Zone.” We partitioned a section of the existing oversized garage, resulting in a space measuring approximately 22′ x 32′, brimming with entertainment possibilities. To enhance control over the temperature in the Kid Zone, we collaborated with our licensed HVAC partner to install a cold weather mini-split system. One of the most significant challenges was the modernization and consolidation of the home’s main electrical systems. We reconfigured and combined 6-7 different electrical panels into just two. One panel serves the main house, while the second is dedicated to backup power from a generator. These panels, along with the boiler for the in-floor heating system, are housed in a newly constructed mechanical room within the Kid Zone. Inside the main house, we completed various tasks, such as removing the ceiling in the hallway from the new garage to address prior water damage, improve insulation, and rework electrical and HVAC systems. We also replaced the ceiling from the front door to the base of the stairs, adding new can lighting and enhancing insulation. Skilled drywall specialists then installed and finished new drywall to a level 5 standard. The exterior of the house underwent a complete overhaul. Before installing new roofing on the entire house and garage, we modified an existing flat roof by adding custom lumber and plywood to enhance the pitch, preventing future ice dams. A new rubber roof was expertly installed on the oversized 3-car garage, and the flat roof section we re-framed. Our meticulous exterior team removed old white aluminum soffit, fascia, and gutters, replacing them with new framing to accommodate Longboard soffit material. This task was particularly challenging due to the age of the house and the non-standard wall and roof framing. Our skilled exterior subcontractors ensured a perfect fit. Near the pool area, we discovered severe rot and decay from years of water intrusion. After informing the homeowners, we ordered and installed five new commercial-style block framed windows and a custom 8′ high Anderson patio door. This involved careful removal and replacement of window headers from the outside to avoid disturbing the finished part of the house. We reframed the large openings to fit the new windows, and our skilled trim carpenters installed new walnut casing, base, and window sills. In total, we replaced around 900 lineal feet of soffit and installed approximately 32 squares of aluminum siding. The entire house was meticulously prepped, repaired, and painted according to the client’s chosen color. Throughout the project, we incorporated numerous custom touches and unique design elements, some of which you can see in the pictures. Our team also addressed various unforeseen challenges, from soil issues to rot and decay repair, roof leaks, drainage problems, electrical and HVAC complexities, and much more. At Xpand Inc., we take pride in making it all happen, turning your remodeling and renovation dreams into reality.

Architect: Andre Tchelistcheff Architects New York. NY Builder: Xhema of Greenwich CT Installer: TRM Enterprises Bridgehampton NY Back story. Northern has worked with both Xhema and TRM many tiles. We have worked with Andre before he branched out on his own. Originally Xhema’s contact was to replace the roof and repair the garage, which as some point had been made into an indoor swimming pool without adequate ventilation. The budget was about $8m and there were 20 drawings. By the time the job was 6 months old the scope of work has expanded to over $30m and over 200 drawings had been produced. Northern was contacted to visit the site and evaluate the existing roof. Although the house had been added to over the years the same tile was used but due to the location of the house the color of the tile varied considerably from the front to the back. Northern identified a large number of custom details which would require us to: 1) Match the existing Field tile in size, thickness (it was actually thicker at the butt and reduced to ½” where the tile is overlapped) , surface texture and the color. 2) Make tiles that are curved in their length to suit the curved rafter on the gabled dormers. 3) Make the curved tiles to suit the low slope octagonal tower. 4) Make the curved tiles and Arris style hips to suit the hipped dormers with the curved rafters. 5) Make the segmented tiles to suit the round turret. 6) Make the custom arris style hip tiles for the octagonal tower. 7) Make the custom Arris style hip to suit the different roof pitches as well as the varying splays at the eaves. 8) Make the custom pieces to suit the swept valleys Simon broke down each section of the roof. He indented all items for each section and agreed the measure etc with the installers. This ‘Project Bible’ became an invaluable tool for the installer, our tile makers and us. We shipped some samples from the original roof to Sahtas who replicated tall the details. I was visiting factory and delayed my return to the Saturday so that the tiles coming out of the kiln late Friday night could be wrapped and packed into newly purchase suit cases. I arrived home late Saturday evening and Simon picked me up Sunday afternoon and drove us down to Greenwich for an 8 am meeting with the clients. When we unpacked the tiles they were still warm and Hilfiger signed off on the color, although his wife suggested we make them a bit darker a ‘as he has a dreadful sense of color!’ We took Vincent Liot, owner of TRM to the factory twice so that he could oversee the prototyping of all the myriad custom pieces. This was an invaluable move as he pre-approved all the pieces before they were shipped. The installation was completed and everyone was very pleased with the final outcome. The Hilfiger’s estate manager told me that a group of friends who were staying the weekend after all the work was completed were heard to ask Mr. Hilfiger ‘I thought you were having a new roof’…to which he responded ‘we did but you can’t tell, which as the plan” …perfect! In refection this is probably the most complicated roof Northern has ever had the pleasure to supply. We learned a lot of very valuable lessons but in future when we are asked how did we do it we will answer ‘that is for us to know and for you to pay for!’

Removed the shower entrance wall and reduced to a knee wall. Custom Quartz Ultra on Knee wall Ledge and Vanity Top. Custom Niche with Soap Dish. White and Green Subway Tile (Vertical and Horizontal Lay) Black Shower Floor Tile. Also Includes a Custom Closet.

Removed the shower entrance wall and reduced to a knee wall. Custom Quartz Ultra on Knee wall Ledge and Vanity Top. Custom Niche with Soap Dish. White and Green Subway Tile (Vertical and Horizontal Lay) Black Shower Floor Tile. Also Includes a Custom Closet.

This custom desk area was designed as the creative heart of the room — a sophisticated workspace that supports both everyday function and artistic expression. The softly curved desk extends into the space to create a generous work surface, allowing room for studying, sketching, painting, and collaborative projects with friends. A calming palette of natural wood tones, warm brass accents, and soft blues creates an atmosphere that feels elegant yet youthful. The sculptural desk design helps soften the room’s clean architectural lines while encouraging flow and interaction within the space. Integrated cabinetry provides abundant concealed storage for art supplies, books, and creative materials, while frosted glass doors maintain a visually clean and organized feel by subtly concealing contents and reducing visual clutter. Carefully layered lighting, curated artwork, and thoughtful styling add warmth and personality, making this workspace feel inspiring, functional, and deeply personal to its young artist owner.

Removed the shower entrance wall and reduced to a knee wall. Custom Quartz Ultra on Knee wall Ledge and Vanity Top. Custom Niche with Soap Dish. White and Green Subway Tile (Vertical and Horizontal Lay) Black Shower Floor Tile. Also Includes a Custom Closet.

Removed the shower entrance wall and reduced to a knee wall. Custom Quartz Ultra on Knee wall Ledge and Vanity Top. Custom Niche with Soap Dish. White and Green Subway Tile (Vertical and Horizontal Lay) Black Shower Floor Tile. Also Includes a Custom Closet.

This bathroom had to serve the needs of teenage twin sisters. The ceiling height in the basement was extremely low and the alcove where the existing vanity sat was reduced in depth so that the cabinetry & countertop had to be sized perfectly. (See before Photos)The previous owner's had installed a custom shower and the homeowners liked the flooring and the shower itself. Keeping the tile work in place and working with the color palette provided a big savings. Now, this charming space provides all the storage needed for two teenage girls.

Urban kitchen photo in Other

Inspiration for a large transitional women's carpeted and white floor walk-in closet remodel in Atlanta with open cabinets and white cabinets

Kitchen - kitchen idea in Richmond

Patio - contemporary backyard gravel patio idea in Boise with a fire pit and no cover

Oasis in the Desert You can find a whole lot of fun ready for the kids in this fun contemporary play-yard in the dessert. Theme: The overall theme of the play-yard is a blend of creative and active outdoor play that blends with the contemporary styling of this beautiful home. Focus: The overall focus for the design of this amazing play-yard was to provide this family with an outdoor space that would foster an active and creative playtime for their children of various ages. The visual focus of this space is the 15-foot tree placed in the middle of the turf yard. This fantastic structure beacons the children to climb the mini stumps and enjoy the slide or swing happily from the branches all the while creating a touch of whimsical nature not typically found in the desert. Surrounding the tree the play-yard offers an array of activities for these lucky children from the chalkboard walls to create amazing pictures to the custom ball wall to practice their skills, the custom myWall system provides endless options for the kids and parents to keep the space exciting and new. Rock holds easily clip into the wall offering ever changing climbing routes, custom water toys and games can also be adapted to the wall to fit the fun of the day. Storage: The myWall system offers various storage options including shelving, closed cases or hanging baskets all of which can be moved to alternate locations on the wall as the homeowners want to customize the play-yard. Growth: The myWall system is built to grow with the users whether it is with changing taste, updating design or growing children, all the accessories can be moved or replaced while leaving the main frame in place. The materials used throughout the space were chosen for their durability and ability to withstand the harsh conditions for many years. The tree also includes 3 levels of swings offering children of varied ages the chance to swing from the branches. Safety: Safety is of critical concern with any play-yard and a space in the harsh conditions of the desert presented specific concerns which were addressed with light colored materials to reflect the sun and reduce heat buildup and stainless steel hardware was used to avoid rusting. The myWall accessories all use a locking mechanism which allows for easy adjustments but also securely locks the pieces into place once set. The flooring in the treehouse was also textured to eliminate skidding.

Hawkeye Landscape Design We began this project with the idea of making a friendly entryway and social area under the Mulberry tree which provides much needed shade in this hot, mountainous area. The 'red fescue' meadow grass has a cooling effect and the agaves reduce the need for excess water and maintenance. The backyard has a covered dining area with a corner lounge and fireplace. The large barbecue offers a cantilevered counter for entertaining. The waterfall into the pool is surrounded with bamboo and plantings that emulate the hillside beyond the property. The permeable paving and mix of Vitex and Olive trees provide shade for smaller seating areas to enjoy the variety of succulents throughout the garden

This custom kitchen remodel in Jarrettsville was thoughtfully designed to combine timeless style with highly functional storage solutions that make everyday living easier. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, decorative tilework, and warm hickory flooring that flows seamlessly throughout the space, adding natural warmth and character. A contrasting blue island creates a beautiful focal point while adding additional workspace, storage, and seating to the heart of the kitchen. A hidden walk-in pantry cabinet is seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry wall, providing generous storage while maintaining a clean, built-in appearance. Adjacent to the range, a pull-out utensil holder keeps cooking tools organized and within easy reach. A hidden roll-out cabinet neatly stores a folding step stool for convenient access to upper cabinets. The kitchen also includes a lift-up appliance drawer designed to raise heavy countertop appliances, such as a KitchenAid mixer, to working height with ease, helping reduce lifting and countertop clutter. Around the corner, floating shelves framed by full-height decorative tile create an elegant display area that adds both storage and visual interest to the space. Thoughtful details like crown molding, layered finishes, and custom storage features make this kitchen both beautiful and exceptionally practical for daily life.

To enhance stability even further, the core of our mahogany doors contain the same solid mahogany species. For our engineered banded stiles and rails, each stile features a solid mahogany edge band. The engineered stiles and rails are stronger then single, solid wood pieces, reducing the possibility of the door warping or splitting. Our durable 3-ply wood panels will not twist, warp, shrink or expand. In our finished series, the panel is completely prefinished and sealed on all six sides before being installed, and as the panels are free to float between fixed edges, there is no unfinished part of the panel that may show up with time. There are no nails that hold panels in place.

This custom kitchen remodel in Jarrettsville was thoughtfully designed to combine timeless style with highly functional storage solutions that make everyday living easier. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, decorative tilework, and warm hickory flooring that flows seamlessly throughout the space, adding natural warmth and character. A contrasting blue island creates a beautiful focal point while adding additional workspace, storage, and seating to the heart of the kitchen. A hidden walk-in pantry cabinet is seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry wall, providing generous storage while maintaining a clean, built-in appearance. Adjacent to the range, a pull-out utensil holder keeps cooking tools organized and within easy reach. A hidden roll-out cabinet neatly stores a folding step stool for convenient access to upper cabinets. The kitchen also includes a lift-up appliance drawer designed to raise heavy countertop appliances, such as a KitchenAid mixer, to working height with ease, helping reduce lifting and countertop clutter. Around the corner, floating shelves framed by full-height decorative tile create an elegant display area that adds both storage and visual interest to the space. Thoughtful details like crown molding, layered finishes, and custom storage features make this kitchen both beautiful and exceptionally practical for daily life.

We completely gutted and remodeled this space to emphasize open space and comfort. Our clients original finished basement was very cramped and lacked storage space. So we reduced the size of the mechanical room, consolidated the bathroom and laundry to the other end of the basement and installed a new staircase with an open railing.

Walnut custom cabinets are known for light gray to purple-brown color tone. Walnut cabinets will not display sapwood on the face, although some may be seen on the back. Its grain pattern can contain both straight and wavy sections as well, and has a reduced allowance for small knots and pin knots. Walnut custom cabinets will offer a great new look for any home.